HJK have gone top of the Veikkausliiga on goal difference after victory away from home in the top-of-the-table clash against Inter Turku.
Inter Turku 2-4 HJK
Having not looked like title challengers for much of the season, HJK have put together a run of six wins and three draws in their last nine to reach the summit with two matches to play, while two defeats in three for Inter Turku has more than helped their cause.
The visitors were already on top when the ball was fed down the left for Alfie Cicale, whose first-time ball across was turned in at the near post by Leonel Montano. But the hosts were level with just over 30 minutes played, working the ball into the area with a series of neat passes before Alie Conteh picked out the bottom corner.
Just four minutes later, HJK were back in front when Santeri Haarala squared to Mads Borchers, who applied the simple finish, however, early in the second half FC Inter drew level again after Alex Ring caught Lauri Laine inside the box and Jasse Tuominen rolled the penalty home.
With 20 minutes to play, the Helsinki side went ahead for the third time when Borchers’ ball across was fired in by Lassi Lappalainen, and this time there was no response from Inter Turku, instead, HJK sealed the win five minutes later – Lappalainen’s strike was saved, but HJK kept the pressure on and Borchers laid the ball off for Cicale, who curled it into the top corner. With a goal difference 10 better than FC Inter’s, HJK are essentially two wins away from regaining the title.
KuPS 1-1 Gnistan
KuPS failed to keep pace with HJK and are now two points behind the leading duo after being held at home by Gnistan. It’s just two league wins in 10 for the Kuopio side, while the visitors ended a run of three consecutive defeats.
The home side went ahead inside 15 minutes when a corner was flicked on by Valentin Gasc for Saku Savolainen to head past the goalkeeper, and 1-0 was how it stayed until six minutes from time when Sergei Eremenko’s ball across took a couple of deflections before it ricocheted off Brahima Magassa and into his own net to continue KuPS’ frustrations.
AC Oulu 0-0 VPS
On Wednesday 28th, AC Oulu played out a goalless draw which kept the home side in the final European place, and now they lead Gnistan by a point following the Helsinki side’s point in Kuopio. It’s seven points from the last three games for Oulu, while VPS four points behind are still in the conversation for Europe, but going a third game without a win will make this result feel like a missed opportunity.
Follow the finale to the Veikkausliiga season on Flashscore.